Thiers was capped nine times by France between 1936 and 1945 and is one of only two French players - along with former Perpignan player Joseph Desclaux - to have earned international honours both before and after the Second World War.

Five of his first six Test caps came against Germany and he would later spend two years as a prisoner of war in the country. A scrum-half for his first six appearances, he featured at flanker for his final three Test appearances and had the honour of leading his country on three occasions.